For years, Yunus Njie, 34, carried a quiet ambition. Alongside a successful career in hospitality and management, he wanted to earn a university degree. Now he has done just that, graduating from University & Professional Development Centre, West Suffolk College with a 2:1 in Business and Management.
Born in Senegal and raised in The Gambia, Yunus completed his schooling there before moving to France to gain work experience and eventually settling in the UK.
His career began in the hotel where his mum worked as a chef. Inspired by her, he trained as a chef himself before progressing into management, where he discovered a real passion for working with people.
“I’ve always been a people person,” said Yunus. “What I enjoyed most was supporting young people, helping them build their confidence and skills and progress in their careers.”
Despite his professional success, the desire to study never left him. In 2023 he attended an open day at the University & Professional Development Centre, West Suffolk College and met Penny Stevens, course lead for Business and Management. That conversation gave him the encouragement he needed to enrol.
Returning to education as an adult brought real challenges. Yunus was balancing his studies with work, supporting his family, and raising his daughter.
“I knew a degree would take sacrifice, discipline, and commitment,” he said. “But I also wanted to show my daughter that with ambition and hard work, you can pursue your goals even when life is busy and full of responsibilities.”
His years in management proved invaluable, helping him connect academic theory with the practical realities of leading teams and developing others. Throughout, he kept his eyes firmly on the finish line.
When his results came through, the sense of achievement was profound. “It was more than a qualification,” he said. “It was the fulfilment of a goal I’d carried for years, and a reminder that it’s never too late to invest in yourself.”
Supporting young people remains at the heart of what he does. “Alongside my self-employed work, I am currently also working as a Cover Supervisor Teacher,” he said.
For Yunus, graduation was not the end of the journey but the start of a new chapter.
“I see this as a foundation for what comes next,” he said. “My story is about ambition becoming reality. With determination and hard work, the goals we carry for years can be achieved.”
